W291CI
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | July 1, 1969 |
| Headquarters | Jacksonville, Florida , United States |
Area served | Jacksonville metropolitan area and surrounding regions |
| Products | Classic hits radio broadcasting |
| Owner | Cox Radio (subsidiary of Cox Media Group) |
WJGL (96.9 MHz, known as "96.9 The Eagle") operates as a commercial FM radio station based in Jacksonville, Florida. It is owned by Cox Radio, a subsidiary of Cox Media Group. WJGL broadcasts a classic hits format with an emphasis on classic rock, predominantly playing rock tracks from the 1970s through the 1990s, while deliberately excluding pop and dance performers such as Michael Jackson, Prince, and Madonna.
The station's production facilities and corporate offices are situated on Belfort Parkway in Jacksonville's Southside area. Its transmission tower stands off Hogan Road within the Arlington neighborhood. Classified as a Class C FM station, WJGL transmits at an effective radiated power of 98,000 watts (which can reach 100,000 watts with beam tilt) and broadcasts from a tower with a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 1,014 feet (309 meters). The coverage area extends from the Georgia coastline down to regions south of St. Augustine, Florida.
WJGL also utilizes HD Radio technology. Its secondary HD2 channel delivers an urban contemporary format under the brand "Power 106.1," which is simultaneously broadcast on translator station W291CI at 106.1 MHz.
WJHP-FM, WZFM, WZOK-FM
The 96.9 MHz frequency originally debuted in 1947 as WJHP-FM, serving as the FM counterpart to AM 1320 WJHP (currently WJNJ). Both stations were owned by The Metropolis Company, a division of the now-defunct Jacksonville Journal. Initially, WJHP-FM largely simulcast programming from its AM sister station.
In 1960, the call letters were changed to WZFM, followed by another change to WZOK-FM in 1961. At that time, FM radio was still developing its audience; consequently, the station ceased operations in 1962 and surrendered its license to the FCC. The frequency remained dormant for seven years afterward. The WZOK call sign was later reassigned to a station in Rockford, Illinois.
WRLJ, WPDQ-FM
On July 1, 1969, Beck Broadcasting launched WRLJ at 96.9 MHz; this company also owned AM 600 WPDQ (presently WBOB). While AM 600 featured a Top 40 format, WRLJ specialized in beautiful music. Soon after its inception, WRLJ adopted its AM counterpart’s call sign and became WPDQ-FM.
WAIV
In 1975, Rounsaville Broadcasting (which later became Affiliated Broadcasting) acquired both stations. AM 600 was rebranded as WMBR and adopted a middle of the road format; meanwhile, 96.9 MHz became WAIV—a progressive rock outlet named to reflect Jacksonville’s Atlantic Coast location ("Wave").
By 1980, AM 600 assumed the WAIV call letters to align with WAIV-FM; both stations featured Top 40 formats but had limited simulcasting due to FCC regulations.
During the mid-1980s, AM 600 transitioned into talk radio under the call sign WOKV (which later moved to AM 690), while WAIV-FM shifted toward an adult contemporary format.
WKQL
EZ Communications purchased both stations in 1986. In 1990, the FM station underwent rebranding as WKQL "Cool 96.9," adopting an oldies music format.
WJGL
In 2000, Cox Radio, Inc. acquired WKQL and WOKV—the current owners of the stations. Five years later in 2005, WKQL was rebranded as WJGL "96.9 The Eagle," transitioning to a classic hits format that highlights rock music from the '70s through the '90s while largely omitting most '60s tracks and pop/dance artists.
External links
- FM translator